Function Reference    
pade

Compute the Padé approximation of models with time delays

Syntax

Description

pade approximates time delays by rational LTI models. Such approximations are useful to model time delay effects such as transport and computation delays within the context of continuous-time systems. The Laplace transform of an time delay of seconds is . This exponential transfer function is approximated by a rational transfer function using the Padé approximation formulas [1].

[num,den] = pade(T,N) returns the Nth-order (diagonal) Padé approximation of the continuous-time I/O delay in transfer function form. The row vectors num and den contain the numerator and denominator coefficients in descending powers of . Both are Nth-order polynomials.

When invoked without output arguments,

plots the step and phase responses of the Nth-order Padé approximation and compares them with the exact responses of the model with I/O delay T. Note that the Padé approximation has unit gain at all frequencies.

sysx = pade(sys,N) produces a delay-free approximation sysx of the continuous delay system sys. All delays are replaced by their Nth-order Padé approximation. See Time Delays for details on LTI models with delays.

sysx = pade(sys,NI,NO,Nio) specifies independent approximation orders for each input, output, and I/O delay. These approximation orders are given by the arrays of integers NI, NO, and Nio, such that:

You can use scalar values to specify uniform approximation orders, and [] if there are no input, output, or I/O delays.

Example

Compute a third-order Padé approximation of a 0.1 second I/O delay and compare the time and frequency responses of the true delay and its approximation. To do this, type

Limitations

High-order Padé approximations produce transfer functions with clustered poles. Because such pole configurations tend to be very sensitive to perturbations, Padé approximations with order N>10 should be avoided.

See Also
c2d         Discretization of continuous system

delay2z     Changes transfer functions of discrete-time LTI models with delays to rational functions or absorbs FRD delays into the frequency response phase information

References

[1] Golub, G. H. and C. F. Van Loan, Matrix Computations, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1989, pp. 557-558.


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